New Yorkers are nothing if not inventive. Take Jonothon Lyons; amid the artistic constraints of the pandemic, the dancer, theater artist, and puppeteer made his own stage, bringing a uniquely New York phenomenon to life as Buddy the Pizza Rat. Our staff writer Valentina Di Liscia caught up with him recently, to the delight of mice, men, women, and folks all over.

In the galleries, Alexandra Thomas reviews the Shed’s incisive new Howardena Pindell show, which sees the veteran artist confront the lingering impacts of racism. Also worth checking out: Cate Giordano’s uncanny solo show at Postmasters.

Don’t forget your mask.

Recently, the internet went wild over a 23-second-long clip of a figure in a rat costume, complete with a long tail, whiskers, and mousy gray suit, dragging a life-sized pizza slice up the stairs in a subway station.

We interviewed Jonothon Lyons, the man behind the mask, about shaking up the performance art scene:

Eric Fischl: Meditations on Melancholia at Skarstedt, through December 18

Etel Adnan: Seasons at Galerie Lelong, through December 19

Theaster Gates: Black Vessel at Gagosian,through December 19